by Berea-Midpark Runs Away From North Ridgeville in 43-13 Southwestern Conference Win
Berea, OH: The Berea-Midpark Titans (5-2, 3-1 CONF) scored early and often Friday night, cruising past the North Ridgeville Rangers (2-5, 2-2 CONF), 43-13, in a Southwestern Conference matchup at Baldwin Wallace University’s George Finnie Stadium.
The Titans wasted no time making their presence felt, as #1 Nick Reece took the opening kickoff 90 yards untouched for a touchdown to give Berea-Midpark an early 7-0 lead. North Ridgeville answered, with quarterback #12 Braden Harrison connecting with #7 Cole Allison on a 17-yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit to 7-6.
From there, Berea-Midpark took control. #0 Xaviere Harden scored three touchdowns in the first half, while quarterback #2 Dylan Papushak finished the night with 234 passing yards and three touchdown passes.
The Titans also set the tone defensively, consistently coming up with big stops when North Ridgeville threatened. Berea-Midpark stopped the Rangers on three fourth-down attempts in the first half and added an interception, preventing North Ridgeville from gaining any momentum. Berea-Midpark finished off the night with a 43-13 victory.
First Half
Berea-Midpark received the opening kickoff and immediately grabbed control.
With 11:45 remaining in the first quarter, #1 Nick Reece took the opening kickoff 90 yards untouched down the field for a touchdown. The extra point was good, giving the Titans an early 7-0 lead.
North Ridgeville answered on its next scoring opportunity. On second-and-eight, #12 Braden Harrison connected with #7 Cole Allison on a quick screen pass. Allison broke down the sideline and raced 17 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was no good, cutting the Berea-Midpark lead to 7-6 with 6:28 remaining in the first quarter.
The Titans responded quickly.
With 3:59 left in the quarter, running back #0 Xaviere Harden took a handoff around the left end, ran through a defender and powered his way across the goal line for a 12-yard touchdown. The extra point was good, putting Berea-Midpark ahead 14-6.
North Ridgeville had an opportunity to answer after a punt struck a Berea-Midpark player, allowing the Rangers to recover at the Berea 39-yard line. However, the Titans’ defense prevented the Rangers from turning the mistake into points.
The Rangers also came up empty on a fourth-and-three attempt from the Berea-Midpark 22-yard line, with the pass falling incomplete.
On Berea-Midpark’s next possession, North Ridgeville sacked quarterback #2 Dylan Papushak on the first play, forcing a fumble that the Rangers recovered at the 19-yard line. Once again, however, the Titans’ defense came up with a big stop, forcing North Ridgeville to turn the ball over on downs on fourth-and-six.
Berea-Midpark then put together another scoring drive.
On third-and-12, Papushak scrambled before finding Harden wide open down the sideline. Harden took the pass all the way to the North Ridgeville 7-yard line for an 80-yard gain.
After multiple penalties pushed the Titans back, Berea-Midpark faced third-and-goal from the 17 with 8:54 remaining in the second quarter. Papushak avoided the pressure, extended the play, and found Harden over the middle of the end zone for a 17-yard touchdown.
The Titans converted the two-point attempt on a pass to Harden, extending their lead to 22-6.
Berea-Midpark’s defense continued to make big plays. #7 Darius Collins intercepted a North Ridgeville pass, giving the Titans possession at their own 41-yard line.
The Rangers had another fourth-down opportunity later in the half, going for it on fourth-and-three at midfield, but Berea-Midpark stopped the attempt once again.
With 1:55 remaining in the half, the Titans took over and eventually extended their lead. With 20 seconds left, Harden scored his third touchdown of the game on a 6-yard run. The extra point was good, sending Berea-Midpark into halftime with a 29-6 advantage.
Second Half
The Titans continued to pull away in the third quarter.
With 8:38 remaining, Papushak found Reece behind the North Ridgeville defense for a 32-yard touchdown. The extra point was good, increasing Berea-Midpark’s lead to 36-6.
North Ridgeville continued to battle, but the Titans came up with another explosive play late in the quarter.
On fourth-and-six from the North Ridgeville 30-yard line with 50 seconds remaining, Papushak connected with #10 Andre’ Alexander on a screen pass. Alexander broke into the open field and raced down the right sideline for a touchdown.
The extra point was good, giving Berea-Midpark a 43-6 advantage.
North Ridgeville added the game’s final score in the fourth quarter. With 6:57 remaining, #84 Riley Finnerty took the ball up the middle for a 9-yard touchdown run. The extra point was good, making the score 43-13.
Neither team scored again, and Berea-Midpark closed out the 43-13 victory.
Big Plays
Berea-Midpark’s special teams set the tone immediately when Nick Reece returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown.
The Titans also produced several explosive offensive plays. Xaviere Harden had a long 80-yard reception, a 17-yard touchdown catch, while Nick Reece added a 32-yard touchdown reception and Andre’ Alexander scored on a 30-yard screen pass.
North Ridgeville’s biggest offensive plays came through the passing game. #10 Jacob Stout recorded a 41-yard reception, while #7 Cole Allison turned a 17-yard screen into a touchdown.
The Berea-Midpark defense also made several major plays, including multiple fourth-down stops and an interception by #7 Darius Collins.
Top Performers
Berea-Midpark Titans
#2 Dylan Papushak: 10-of-17 passing, 234 yards, 3 TDs, 1 2-point conversion; 3 carries, 33 yards, 1 fumble
#0 Xaviere Harden: 6 carries, 45 yards, 2 rushing TDs; 3 receptions, 113 yards, 1 receiving TD, 1 2-point conversion
#1 Nick Reece: 3 receptions, 49 yards, 1 receiving TD; 90-yard kickoff return TD
#10 Andre’ Alexander: 2 receptions, 55 yards, 1 TD
North Ridgeville Rangers
#12 Braden Harrison: 17-of-31 passing, 141 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
#16 Beckham Post: 3-of-4 passing, 62 yards
#84 Riley Finnerty: 22 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD
#10 Jacob Stout: 7 receptions, 91 yards
#7 Cole Allison: 10 receptions, 89 yards, 1 TD; 5 carries, 14 yards
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Berea-Midpark 11:45 — Nick Reece, 90-yard kickoff return (XP good) — 7-0
North Ridgeville 6:28 — Braden Harrison to Cole Allison, 17-yard touchdown pass (XP no good) — 7-6
Berea-Midpark 3:59 — Xaviere Harden, 12-yard rushing touchdown (XP good) — 14-6
2nd Quarter
Berea-Midpark 8:54 — Dylan Papushak to Xaviere Harden, 17-yard touchdown pass (2-point conversion good) — 22-6
Berea-Midpark 0:20 — Xaviere Harden, 6-yard rushing touchdown (XP good) — 29-6
3rd Quarter
Berea-Midpark 8:38 — Dylan Papushak to Nick Reece, 32-yard touchdown pass (XP good) — 36-6
Berea-Midpark 0:50 — Dylan Papushak to Andre’ Alexander, 30-yard touchdown pass (XP good) — 43-6
4th Quarter
North Ridgeville 6:57 — Riley Finnerty, 9-yard rushing touchdown (XP good) — 43-13
Final: Berea-Midpark 43, North Ridgeville 13
Players of the Game
Berea-Midpark Titans
RB #0 Xaviere Harden: 6 carries, 45 yards, 2 rushing TDs; 3 receptions, 113 yards, 1 receiving TD, 1 (2-point conversion)
Harden was a difference-maker for the Titans, scoring three touchdowns and accounting for 158 yards of total offense. He scored twice on the ground and added a 17-yard touchdown reception, while his 113 receiving yards provided Berea-Midpark with several explosive plays throughout the night.
North Ridgeville Rangers
WR #7 Cole Allison: 10 receptions, 89 yards, 1 TD; 5 carries, 14 yards
Allison was one of North Ridgeville’s primary offensive weapons throughout the game, scoring the Rangers’ first touchdown on a 17-yard screen reception and finishing with 103 total offensive yards.
